Democratic gubernatorial frontrunner Eliot Spitzer and his running mate, Senate Minority Leader David Paterson, pledged this week to make Clean Money/Clean Elections a priority if they’re elected this fall.

Basically, that means they’ve endorsed public financing for political campaigns – a rather contentious and unpopular concept in certain corners of the state Capitol that some have gone so far as to call welfare for politicians.

“We’re going to persuade voters over the next few years that Clean Money Clean Elections is the way to go,” Spitzer said via speaker phone Tuesday night to 35, $5-a-head house parties organized statewide by his frequent surrogate, Citizen Action of New York. “We’re going to do it because we care deeply about it. And it is something that is essential to restoring good government to the State of New York.”

Paterson went even further, assuring listeners that he and the AG “are going to fight for Clean Money and Clean Elections the minute we get to Albany,” adding: “I assure you it will be a priority in our administration.”

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